It's been a beautiful day here on the ranch! You would think it to be quiet in the country but it's really not. The birds sing and the bees buzz, the dogs bark and the roosters crow. I love all the sounds here. Even the coyotes at night. As we sat out on the deck before bed, I saw an owl swoop through the air and land on top of the power pole that's close to the camper. I don't often see owls! Every day God seems to give me at least one special little treat and seeing that owl was one of them.
Louis Dean woke up itching to get to work on his framing. I slept so sound and so hard that I woke with a headache about 7:00 so I took a couple of Advil and went back to sleep until 9:30!
It's been so pleasant here that we haven't even turned the A/C on yet! While Louis Dean worked outside, I was Susie Homemaker inside. I cleaned all the kitchen drawers out and reorganized everything. We stocked the camper back in August of 2012 so it was time!
Dean and Sherry have been busy all day but this afternoon they stopped by the camper as they came in from running errands.
I was so excited to get to see Dean open his gift from her!
This quilt is made from his Dallas Cowboys t-shirts. When they moved out of the house in Irving, she put all those old t-shirts in the trash pile....then pulled them out. Then after a time she put them BACK in the trash and then pulled them out AGAIN!
She is an artist and this quilt is a true work of art!!
I took this picture of Louis Dean this morning as we were sitting on the backside of the camper with our coffee and Bible reading.
I told him he was a man 'out standing in his field!'
But, actually, he's out standing in his son's field!
The temps are in the 80's but the sun is shining and LD is being sensible in shading his neck.
He's come in for tea breaks and is pacing himself. He hopes to finish the framing in the next day or so and start on the roof. That will give us some blessed shade while he continues to work - putting in the doors and windows and walls.
By day's end he had this end framed out! The large opening on the left is where my big red screen door will go. Next to it will be a large window - 36" x 60". That's the size of the four windows that will go across the front, too.
Dean and Sherry cooked ribs for dinner tonight and while Louis Dean was winding up his work, I walked down and fed the goats and checked on the baby ducks.
They are not so little any more!
As I walked over to the meadow, I saw something I have never seen before - the whole meadow was aflame with fire flies. They were everywhere!! I even saw some up close! Never have I seen so many all in one place. Dean said when he was a little boy, he remembers seeing them along a creek lighting up the darkness like a string of lights! Last night - the owl. Tonight - fire flies. I can't wait to see what I shall see tomorrow!!
I set the picnic table with my Pfaltzgraff dishes for dinner tonight - dining al fresco!
Sherry made the best potatoes! Small new potatoes cooked with onion and in a cream sauce.
I could have made my entire meal with those alone but she also brought up BBQ ribs and Ranch Style beans.
My contribution was a garden salad, cheese and crackers, cream cheese stuffed jalapeno peppers and Sangria. It was dark by the time we finished dinner and we all called it an early night.
Louis Dean is already in bed and I'm about to do the same.
Internet is still scarce so I'm conserving as much data as I can by writing my journal posts offline.
I've done it 'piecemeal' style today so I do hope it makes sense.
Good night from the Country!
I cannot wait till the walls and roof are up, and you take a picture from a distance, so I can see the entire deck and the size of it. The Cowboys quilt will be a family heirloom, it is amazing!! Louis Dean is being a very good boy, to shade his head and neck!! Most men will not take care of themselves this well. Owl and fireflies, that would make a good book title. I used to love catching fireflies in a jar as a kid. In the summer, our yard will light up with them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt! My mom was a quilter so I know quilts. That is a wonderful gift.
ReplyDeleteYou are having such a good time there seeing an owl and then fireflies. Wonder what the rest of your time there will bring.
That porch is coming along quickly. Can't wait to see it finished.
The quilt is truly amazing. She did amazing work on that big project. Dean looked like he appreciated it as well he should. I would so love to live where I could see nature. We miss so much as city dwellers. I see you made the quads very happy with the new Memaw made 'basket' to hold all the balls that make up their favorite toy. Good work Memaw.
ReplyDeleteI love love love the video and that quilt is amazing. that quilt is worth a lot of money, I am sure it would sell in a heart beat on ebay if they ever get in a money tight spot. what a super idea... I would love the peach and quiet and coyotes to.. that man truly is an outstanding man
ReplyDeleteAmazing quilt! I had no idea that t-shirt graphics could work up to such a beautiful, meaningful quilt.
ReplyDeleteThe discussion about wrapping paper was very familiar to me. Still do that myself. Old habits die hard. My sister went so far as to recycle greeting cards giving her former husband the very same anniversary card for over a dozen years. Maybe that's why the marriage failed. Ha!
Happy times to you at the ranch! I can see that each day brings its own delights. The addition is going to be fabulous!
Happy Mother's Day to you Linda. So glad y'all are enjoying the splendors of the country this week.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful quilt! I am sure that he greatly appreciated it. Sounds as though your week is going to be a fun one. I am thankful that you and your family spend so much time together. Many families rarely speak. Luckily, I also get to spend plenty of time with mine.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely....the ranch is just THE best place to be. What a thoughtful and wonderful birthday gift of the quilt...Happy Mother's Day Linda...enjoy the rest of your stay.
ReplyDeleteI love how calm you become there at the ranch...it shows in your writing and yes it made perfect sense. Happy Mothers day.
ReplyDeleteLinda, The quilt is wonderful. Sherry did a fine job. LD looks like he's in the French Foreign Legend...He's the working-est man. Hope you have lots of fun even while working. Blessings and happy mother's day. xoxo,love, Susie
ReplyDeleteIt's weird that in your live traffic feed I show up as being from Hamilton (which is 100 miles or so away from Auckland)! So good to see you enjoying the country. Cheers
ReplyDeleteAnd I show up as Ottawa Canada!!! Go figure!!!
DeleteWow! That quilt is simply stunning. What a wonderful, personal, unique gift. A labor of love for sure X
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